Patent · US Active

Low temperature oxidation for enhanced oil recovery

US7543638B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
11References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 10, 2006
Grant dateJun 9, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 9, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B43/243
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

Methods and systems for enhancing oil recovery are disclosed. A method for enhancing oil recovery in a formation includes placing a catalyst in a wellbore; and introducing an oxidizing agent into the wellbore to contact the catalyst such that a hydrocarbon in the formation is oxidized to produce heat and at least one gas. A system for enhancing oil recovery in a reservoir formation includes a catalyst arranged within a well adjacent the reservoir formation; and an oxidizing agent for engaging the catalyst, the oxidizing agent adapted to generate heat and at least one gas when engaging the catalyst and oxidizing a hydrocarbon. The oxidizing agent may be air or oxygen. The catalyst may be one selected from platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, lead, manganese, nickel and metal oxides thereof. Further, the catalyst may be in the form of nanoparticles.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.